Kendra Bryant
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
On March 4, The Baltimore Mayoral Forum introduced Baltimore residents to the four Mayor of Baltimore candidates at the Roland Park Presbyterian Church.
Representing the Democrats were Sheila Dixon, Thiru Vignarajah, and current Baltimore mayor, Brandon Scott.
Sheila Dixon served as the 48th mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, in 2007. During this time, Dixon was caught in a scandal and later convicted for misusing funding funds and failing to list gift cards on financial documents.
Prosecutors reported dozens of stolen gift cards from retail companies such as Best Buy and Target. According to the Baltimore Brew, Sheila’s home was searched by police in 2008. Filled reports claimed to have found Persian mink jackets, Giorgio Armani shoes, Jimmy Choo sandals, an Xbox, and even a PlayStation.
One of her many accomplices, Patrick Turner, owner of Baltimore Development company, claims that he believes the gift cards were intended to be used to assist the poor.
During the Forum, questions concerning Dixon’s untrustworthy past were often mentioned; her opponent, Republican Bob Wallace, described her as “corrupt, corrupt, corrupt.”
Sheila responds to these claims by simply saying, “I know that I have made some mistakes, but I have learned from them.”
Dixon proposed several solutions to minimize the city’s current crime rate, help the public school system, and make Baltimore clean again. “We are the dirtiest city in America… but after I’m finished with it, it will be the healthiest city in America,” says Dixon.
Before serving as mayor, Sheila Dixon served as the president of the Baltimore City Council.
After serving as a Baltimore City Public School (BCPS) teacher, Dixon prides herself on being a true ‘product’ of Baltimore and receiving all of her education from the city. Dixon attended Northwestern High School and later went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Towson University and a master’s from Johns Hopkins University.
“She’s not perfect, but she’s the best candidate for our city. I hope that she can win this election so that our school system and the overall city can be in better shape,” says mother and BCPS teacher Kimberly Cardwell, who attended the forum.
Similar to Dixon, Democratic Party candidate Thiru Vignarajah also has several years of experience in the school system; both of his parents served as BCPS teachers.
After attending Woodlawn High School, Vignarajah went on to graduate from Yale College.
As the former Deputy Attorney General of Maryland, Vignarajah is now running for mayor for the fourth time. When asked why he continues to run, Vignarajah responded, “I stepped up when no one else would…I’m here because I believe this city could be better. We deserve better in this city, and I am what’s better.”
Vignarajah has faced some recent allegations about his leadership skills. According to the Baltimore Sun, seven attorneys who formerly worked under Vignarajah have claimed that he “abused his position of authority” and even mentally abused his many female workers.
During the forum, David Bryan was one of the spectators to make an outburst during
Vignarajah’s time to speak. “Talk about your anger issues with all your female staff,” said Bryan.
When asked why this was such a passionate moment for Bryan, he responded, “This man is a fraud. He is not perfect or kind… Baltimore does not need another fraud!”
If elected Baltimore’s new mayor, Vignarajah plans to implement a similar water bill strategy as Maryland’s Montgomery County (MOCO); this system notifies the homeowner of a rise in their water usage and asks if there is anything specific causing this spike.